Container With Ventilation Chamber

ABSTRACT

A container ( 1 ) which includes a base ( 16 ), a pair of opposed end walls ( 2 ) and a pair of opposed sidewalls ( 5 ) into which an insert ( 9 ) also having a pair of opposed end walls ( 11 ) and a pair of opposed sidewalls ( 12 ) is located and secured in position by tabs ( 14 ) protruding from the lower edges of the said pair of opposed sidewalls ( 12 ). A set of tabs ( 10 ) protruding from the upper edges of the end walls ( 11 ) and sidewalls. ( 12 ) The lower tabs are engaged in rectangular precut slots ( 8 ) in the base ( 16 ) of the container. ( 1 ) The upper tabs( 10 ) are held in position by tabs( 4 ) which are bent at right angles to the end and side walls ( 2 &amp; 5 ) respectively and which have precut rectangular slots( 7 ) which engage the lugs protruding from the pair of end walls ( 2 ) and side walls ( 5 ) of the insert. ( 9 ) The engagement of the lugs ( 14 ) and ( 10 ) position the insert ( 9 ) thus creating a gap between the side walls ( 2 &amp; 5 ) and the sidewalls ( 11 &amp; 12 ) of the insert. ( 9 ) This gap forms a chamber ( 15 ) around the insert ( 9 ) though which air can freely circulate around the product contained within the inner walls of the insert ( 9 )

CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62068061, filed 24 Oct. 2014

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a container with an insert which creates achamber though which chilled air can freely flow, thus surrounding theproduct contained therein.

BACKGROUND Prior Art

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appearsrelevant:

U.S. Patents Patent Number Kind Code Issue Date Patentee 76/337,416 A1Dec. 29, 2009 Moelich; Leuvennink; Dippenaar 4,946,093 Aug. 7, 1990Moorman 2,858,059 October 1958 Kitchell

It is well documented that fresh produce which is transported incontainers need adequate cooling to maintain peak quality and shelf lifethroughout the distribution cycle. Currently containers are packed withproduce then stacked on pallets in a predetermined pattern ready forshipment to the market place. Each layer of containers are stacked withtheir faces abutting the face of the container alongside so as to createa solid block or unitized load which can be strapped together so as tomaintain stability throughout the distribution cycle. Unfortunately thispractice prevents chilled air from flowing to the inner faces of thecontainers which abut each other. To try and remedy this situation boxdesigners cut apertures in the side walls in the hope that chilled airwill flow though the aperture on the outer face, past the productthrough the aperture in the opposite face of the container into the nextabutting container. This method is not efficient and is limited by thenumber of apertures cut into the side walls of the container as eachtime an aperture is cut the compression strength of the container iscompromised. Other criteria for maintaining produce quality is theability for the containers to maintain circulation of ventilating air orgas to the fruit contained within the containers and for removal of heatgenerated by respiration of the fruit contained within the containers.There have been some attempts to address the cooling and ventingchallenges and are described in the following patents:

U.S. Pat. No. 7,637,416 According to the invention, an air flow channelfor use in a packaging container includes at least one elongated bodydefining at least one passage having at least one open end; and a numberof spaced apart ventilation openings provided through the body along itslength.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,093. According to the invention, there is discloseda half-slotted container body and lid, each made from a blank ofcorrugated paperboard. The lid blank has an additional score to providea fold-line around the perimeter of the side and end panels atapproximately one-half of the depth. This score line defines inner andouter panels of the lid's perimeter side and end walls. Where thisfold-line intersects each of the panel score lines defining the ends ofthe side and end panels, there are two diagonal scores which radiatefrom that point in opposite directions extending to the free edge of theinner panels. When the lid is set up, the top flaps are folded inwardlyand secured to form a top of the lid, and the inner panels are foldedinwardly hinged at the four corners by the diagonal scores. The innerpanels are pushed in at the interior four corners of the lid locking theinner panels along the outer panels to provide a two-ply perimeter wallof the lid. The resulting inward bulge of the inner panels of the lidcreates a secure lock of the lid on the body and provides support forthe sides of the body against outwardly bulging under load. Thecontinuous two-ply construction of the sides of the lid providechanneling space between adjoining containers in a stacked pallet loadto enhance uniform air flow and cooling of produce, such as bananas andfruits, packed in the containers.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,637,416 suffers from the disadvantage that theventilation openings have to be perfectly aligned in each layer of astacked pallet. This is not easily achieved especially with the adventof the common footprint that has been adopted internationally as thepreferred standard. In addition the airflow has to be horizontal innature to be effective. Often cooling systems have vertical airflowpatterns. It is also common practice for stacked pallets to be stretchedwrapped with poly propylene film which totally negates the any advantageto this invention

U.S. Pat 4,946,093 suffers from the disadvantage of blocking verticalair flow completely. Another disadvantage is the lid that creates thespaces only extends downward for a minimum distance so as to give amaximum exposed face of the side and end walls of the half slottedcontainer. This disadvantage does not prevent the gap being closedduring the process of banding, strapping or stretch wrapping or intransit throughout the distribution cycle thereby defeating theobjective of the invention as well as creating an unstable unitizedload. It is also common practice for stacked pallets to be stretchedwrapped with poly propylene film which totally negates the any advantageto this invention due to the total blockage of horizontal air flow.Another disadvantage is that every container needs a lid to create theair gap. Most fruits in the global market place are shipped in a displayready open top tray eliminating any benefit of the patent.

My invention as described in this application overcomes thedisadvantages as described above, as no matter the direction of airflowor pallet stacking patterns or stretch wrapped stacked pallets chilledair is able to enter the chamber either from the side faces of thestacked pallet or from the bottom or top faces of the stacked pallet.The configuration of the apertures in the base and top of the chamberovercome any blocking of the apertures in the side or end walls of thecontainer due to misalignment.

This invention has a number of embodiments that emanate from its noveldesign, some of which are described in the following claims, drawingsand text.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention a container includes a base, a pair ofopposed end walls and a pair of opposed sidewalls, each having a seriesof apertures cut through the said walls to allow air to flow freely intothe container and also having a series of lugs that protrude from theupper edge of said walls.

The container includes an insert which has a pair of opposing side wallsand a pair of end walls and having a series of lugs that protrude fromthe lower and upper edges that position the insert by means rectangularof slots cut into the base of the container and the lugs that protrudefrom the upper edge of the side and end walls of the container.

The insert has a perimeter dimension that is less than the perimeter ofthe inner dimension of the side and end walls of the container therebycreating a channel between the wall into which air flows through theapertures in the side and end walls of the container. The channelsurrounds the product completely.

The insert in an additional embodiment has a series of peaks and valleyscut into the upper edge of the insert. As packed boxes are placed on topof the underlying box the peaks indent the base of the container abovethus creating a friction lock thereby preventing free movement orsliding of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container or box according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the insert according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container with the insert secured inposition.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the insert disengaged from the container.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a box according the invention showing thechamber surrounding the inner area of the box.

FIG. 6 is a section, B-B and C-C dissecting a layer of the containersabutting each other according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment according tothe invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment accordingto the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment accordingto the invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with the insertof the alternative embodiment in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view and detail of another alternativeembodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a layer of 6 containers locked togetherby a cross lock strap

DRAWINGS—REFERENCED NUMERALS

-   1 Container.-   2 End wall.-   3 Aperture.-   4 Lug.-   5 Side wall.-   6 Stacking and air flow aperture.-   7 Lug slot.-   8 Base slot.-   9 Insert-   10 Stacking lug.-   11 End wall.-   12 Side wall.-   13 Aperture.-   14 Locating lug.-   15 Chamber.-   16 Base.-   17 Base with Insert.-   18 Airflow into chamber.-   19 Alternative embodiment.-   20 Extended end wall.-   21 Top of U.-   22 Extended side wall.-   23 Aperture.-   24 Aperture.-   25 Aperture.-   26 Stacking and air flow aperture.-   27 Alternative embodiment.-   28 Stacking lug.-   29 Side wall-   30 Bliss wrap, glue tabs.-   31 Pop up friction lock.-   32 Ripple top insert-   33 Peak of triangulated friction tab.-   34 Score line.-   35 Score line-   36 Alternative embodiment.-   37 Cross lock strap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a container 1, madeof one layer of corrugated paperboard which includes a base 16, aplurality of end-walls 2, a plurality of sidewalls 5, apertures 3, thatare cut through the end and sidewalls 2 and 5, stacking/airflowapertures 6, are cut into the base 16, lugs 4, with rectangular slots 7,cut though the face of the lugs 4, shown bent over at 90 degrees to thevertical sides and end walls 2 and 5.

Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of an insert 9, made of either asingle or double layer of corrugated paperboard and includes a pluralityof end walls and side walls 11, and 12, having locating lugs 14, at thebase of the side walls 12 and having stacking tabs 10, at the upper edgeof the end and side walls 11 and 12 and apertures 13 cut through boththe end and side walls 11 and 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, A, B & C, a perspective, top and side viewsrespectively of the container 1, with insert 9, placed inside ofcontainer 1 and secured in position by the locating tab 14, engaging theslot 8, cut into the base of container 1, as shown in the broken outsection in FIG. 3B and by the tabs 4, which engage the stacking tabs 10,by means of protrusion through the slots 7, thereby creating a chamber15, between the inner face of the side and end walls 2 and 5 ofcontainer 1 and the outer end and side walls 11 and 12, of insert 9.Cold air enters the chamber through the apertures 13 which envelopes theentire perimeter of the outer walls of the insert 9. Referring to FIG.4, a perspective view of an exploded diagram showing the insert 9, thecontainer 1, and 17, the insert 9, secured in position in container 1.

Referring to FIG. 5, a top view of container 1, with insert 9, securedin position clearly showing the chamber 15, surrounding the outer wallsof the insert 9.

Referring to FIG. 6, a perspective view of a layer of 6 boxes abuttingeach other as well as sectioned views BB and CC through one layer ofcontainer 1, with the ends 2 and sides 3 abutting the adjacentcontainers in a 6 per layer configuration depicting the chambers 15, andthe air flow entry point 18, into the chambers 15, that are formed bythe inner walls of container 1, and the outer walls of insert 9.

Referring to FIG. 7, A, B and C, a perspective view of an alternativeembodiment 19, where the container of 1, has extended sides 22, andextended ends 20, that are folded on the score lines 34 and 35 at rightangles to form a U shape with the top of the U, 21, and the inner leg ofthe U, 22 and 20. The inner leg has a locating lug 14, at its lowerextremity which engages into a slot 7 into base of the container, asshown in the broken out section in FIG. 7B the formation of the U shapeforms a channel into which the cool air circulates through apertures 25,23, 24 and 26.

Referring to FIG. 8, a perspective view, of an alternate embodiment 27,being a Bliss style container with side wall glued in position by glueflaps 30, and having the same description as regarding the side and endwalls, bending and locating descriptions as the container 19 in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 9, a perspective view, of an alternative embodiment,13, of the insert 9, whereby the top of the insert has a series of peaks33.

Referring to FIG. 10, a perspective view, of an alternative embodiment36, of the container 1, and insert 9, showing the insert 32, secured bytabs 4. The peaks 33. Indent the base of the loaded container placed ontop of the container 36. This action forms a friction lock between theboxes when stacked in layers on a unitized pallet load of containers.

Referring to FIG. 11, a perspective view and a detail A, of analternative embodiment 36, of the peaks 33, on the upper edge of insert32 whereby a series of triangular shapes are cut into the top of the U,21, so that when folded along the score lines 31 and 35, the peaks 33,pop out to form the basis for the fiction lock.

Referring to FIG. 12, A, a perspective of one layer of 6 containers 1,showing cross locking straps 37, that straddle the adjacent stackinglugs 10, thereby locking the containers abutting each other to oneanother. FIG. 12, B, a perspective of one layer of 6 containers 1,showing a cross locking strap disengaged from stacking lugs 10. Thecross stacking strap can be used in conjunction with the containerreferred to in FIG. 3, A, and where the containers abutting each otheras shown in the perspective view in FIG. 6, have enough surface tosupport the underside of cross locking strap 37. When the underside ofthe next layer of the containers engages the stacking tabs of the layerbelow the containers are locked together by the force of the weight ofthe loaded container.

1. A container for maintaining better ventilation of produce throughoutthe storage, ripening and shipment.
 2. A container of claim 1 whichincludes a base, a pair of opposed end walls and a pair of opposedsidewalls.
 3. The container of claim 1 having a series of tabsprotruding from the upper edge of the opposing end and side walls andbeing bent inward at right angles to the plurality of opposing side andend walls and having rectangular slots cut into the face of the lugs. 4.The container of claim 1 having a corrugated insert that's height isequal to the height of the vertically oriented side walls and end wallsof claim 2 and also having a pair of opposed end walls and a pair ofopposed sidewalls whose flute direction is vertically orientated thusadding structural strength to the container of claim
 1. 5. The insert ofclaim 4 which is located and secured in a predetermined position at thebase by lugs protruding from the lower edge of the opposing end and, orside walls.
 6. The container of claim 1 having rectangular slots cutinto the base into which the lugs protruding from the lower edge of theinsert of claim 5 engage.
 7. The insert of claim 4 which is secured in apredetermined position at the top edge by lugs protruding from the upperedge of the opposing and end and side walls and secured in position bythe tabs of claim
 3. 8. A chamber that is formed between the inner faceof the outer container of claim 1 and the outer face of the insert ofclaim
 4. 9. The container of claim 1 having a series of apertures cutinto the plurality of side, end walls and base thereby allowing cooledair to enter through the side-walls, end-walls, the base and the top ofthe of container so as to flood the chamber that encompasses the entireperimeter of the product contained therein
 10. In an alternativeembodiment the container in claim 1 having extended opposing end andside walls that are bent along 2 pairs of score lines so as to form a Ushape that has a predetermined dimension between the 2 score lines andextended leg of the U having a length equal to the height of the wallsof the container of claim
 1. 11. The container of the embodiment inclaim 10 having lugs protruding from the upper edge of the extendedwalls.
 12. The lugs of claim 11 are engaged into the slots in claim 7after being folded into a U shape.
 13. The inner faces of the U now forma chamber that is an integral part of the container in claim
 1. 14. Thetop of the U of claim 10 has a series of apertures cut to allow apassage between the top of the U and the apertures cut into the base ofcontainer in claim
 2. 15. Yet another embodiment related to the insertof claim 4 whereas the upper edge of the opposing and side walls havinga series of peaks and valleys.
 16. The peaks of the insert of claim 15indent the base of the container directly above thus creating a frictionlock between the lower and upper containers in a palletized load. 17.The insert of claim 4 can either be produced from heavy weightcorrugated paperboard of a single layer or double layer configurationthereby being able to add top to bottom compression strengthindependently of the container of claim
 2. 18. A device for lockingtogether containers that abut each other by means of straddling andengaging a pair of adjacent lugs of claim
 7. 19. The chamber of claim 8can be filled with insulating or cooling material such as refrigerantgel packs. The above claims may apply to other box styles such as Blissand conventional four side trays.